Sash Window Restoration Or Replacement Which Choice Is The Best

| Monday, February 28, 2011
By Nathan Madeley


Many owners of older houses need to consider sash window refurbishment or replacement which option is the best for home owners. There are several aspects to consider before coming to a final decision.

At the heart of timber sashes is the counterweight and pulley that allows the window to stay where you slide it. Over time the runners wear and the counterweights can stick, resulting in windows that are sticky, or rattle in even a moderate breeze.

Timber joinery can absorb moisture in winter and dry out in summer. So a window can be both sticky and rattle at different times of the year. Sometimes problems with the counterweight happens in older windows.

When the frame has a tendency to slide down, or lurch to one side, that is an indicator that the counterweight is no longer doing its job. Luckily these are simple to get fixed.

To repair, first remove the trims. A flat chisel and hammer is great to pry the trims off without causing visible damage or breaking them. If unsure get in a carpenter or builder. This gives access to access to both the frame and counterweight mechanism. A competent handy man should have no trouble repairing or refurbishing them.

When sashes are refurbished, the counter weight mechanism and pulleys are replaced, and the timber brought back to a near new look. Replacing with new sash windows provides a new look quickly and eliminates the problem of damaged joinery and finding a match for what can be old joinery profiles.

If upgrading from timber to aluminum, then replacement is the only choice. If you can not do the work yourself, often the cost to refurbish timber frames is similar to the cost of replacement. The deciding issue often comes down to authenticity versus warranties on new windows.

If the house is such that it becomes important to retain authenticity and adhere to the architects original design, then refurbishment becomes the sensible path to take. If creating a new sleek modern look and eliminating drafts is high on the agenda. New professionally installed frames and joinery make sense. In either scenario, a professional job will enhance the look of the house and even add value to it.

But in the final analysis, sash window refurbishment or replacement which option is the best for home owners ultimately gets decided on the benefits of new versus maintaining the integrity of the original frames and joinery. To endure the right choice is made, many homeowners speak to reputable trades people, strong on restoration and renewal, to gauge the best solution.




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